CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE CANCELS SOME CRUISES FOR NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER

MIAMI, October 1, 2020 – Following the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) decision to extend its no-sail order for cruise operations, Carnival Cruise Line is notifying guests and travel agents that it has cancelled cruises from all U.S. homeports except Miami and Port Canaveral for November and December 2020. While operations from Miami and Port Canaveral in November and December are still not certain, Carnival is focusing its initial return to service from those two homeports, whenever that might occur.

Carnival continues to work on protocols and procedures that would allow for the resumption of cruise operations, with a gradual, phased-in approach, designating Miami and Port Canaveral as the first two homeports for embarkations. Cruises currently scheduled for November and December from those two homeports will remain in place for the time being while Carnival evaluates options. However, the cruise line is providing guests booked on cruises in November and December out of Miami and Port Canaveral the ability to voluntarily cancel their reservation and receive the same offer that all other impacted guests are receiving, which includes a combination future cruise credit and onboard credit, or a full refund.

“As we have said throughout this pause, our return to operations will be gradual and phased in. And while we are not making any presumptions, once cruising is allowed, we will center our initial start-up from the homeports of Miami and Port Canaveral,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “The health and safety of our guests, crew and communities we serve remain the cornerstone of our plans and decisions. The patience and support of our guests and travel agent partners have been a huge motivation to our team as we have worked through this unprecedented situation and we are dedicated to getting back to operations when the time is right.”

Azamara Announces New Explorations for 2022 and 2023 with More Country-Intensive℠ Itineraries Than Ever Before

Miami, FL (September 2020): Destination-focused cruise line, Azamara, is excited to announce the remainder of itineraries for 2022 as well as 2023 (Q1), featuring over 80 new itineraries, and more than 170 overnights and 300 late night stays. As the brand furthers its commitment to more in-depth exploration by connecting guests to a country’s local life and culture, Azamara will offer more Country-Intensive Voyages between 2022 and 2023 than ever before, allowing guests to experience iconic destinations as well as hidden gems, all within a single country.

“As the leader in Destination Immersion®, we are always enthusiastic about sharing our new deployment, this year it’s even more special as we have the opportunity to announce an extension of our Country-Intensive Voyages,” says Chief Operating Officer, Carol Cabezas. “When we were working on our itineraries for 2022/2023, our goal was to invite new and returning guests to explore places they have never visited before, or better yet, connect our guests to a country they have traveled to before, but adding in ports that are considered hidden gems to allow for a new experience, which our Country-Intensives are designed to offer.”

With over 275 ports of call in more than 70 countries, 26 of the ports will be offered in Greece, with two maiden ports: Syros, and Tinos. Azamara will also add on returning guest favorites including, Greece Country-Intensives, voyages to the Black Sea and Egypt-Israel intensive voyages. Further south, Azamara will continue another guest favorite, South Africa Intensive voyages.

Highlights of some maiden ports include:

Off the beaten path, Syros, Greece: Far less hedonistic than its neighbors, Mykonos and Santorini. Instead, it offers an authentic look at what Greek life is truly like on the Cyclades. Home to fantastic food and beautiful beaches, Syros is a hidden gem that doesn’t necessarily want to be discovered — only further adding to its unmistakable charm.

Poignant Landmarks, Pink Lakes, and Free-Roaming Wildlife in Dakar, Senegal: Enigmatic, electric, and endlessly explorable, Dakar dazzles on the West African coast. Jutting out on the Cape Verde Peninsula, the city is the westernmost point of the African continent, and was an important trading point for European colonial powers.

A wonderland of urban delights and pastoral pursuits in Aberdeen, Scotland: Remote and northerly, Scotland’s third largest city is a surprising gem with distinctive architecture and a cosmopolitan feel. Admire the granite architecture that varies from highly ornamented Victorian to robust, rough-hewn Scottish façade in the heart of quaint Old Aberdeen

For more information on Azamara’s 2022 & 2023 deployment, please visit this link here.

About Azamara:

Azamara is an upmarket cruise line and the leader in Destination Immersion, with three mid-sized ships sailing to all seven continents of the world. The boutique-style ships allow them to reach marquee ports around the world and dock in smaller less-visited hidden gems. Azamara’s commitment to creating immersive experiences for travelers to connect with local cultures, allows guests to travel deeper with longer stays, more overnights, and night touring. Guests can experience a boutique hotel at sea with inclusive amenities such as gratuities, beverages and more.

Swan Hellenic keel laying ceremony confirms ambitious schedule on course New ship to be named SH Minerva in honour of iconic heritage

The keel laying ceremony for the first of Swan Hellenic’s two new ice-class expedition cruise ships took place in Helsinki today. This saw the first 347-ton block of the ship - newly arrived from Klaipeda, where it had been outfitted and painted - being set on the keel over coins to bring good luck in accordance with ancient maritime custom.

Again demonstrating its respect for time-honoured traditions, Swan Hellenic announced during the ceremony that the ship would be christened SH Minerva in honour of the iconic company’s first purpose-built vessel, named after the Roman goddess of creativity and wisdom. Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito declared there could be no more fitting way for the relaunched company to take Swan Hellenic’s pioneering spirit back onto the waves.

The ceremony took place in the presence of Helsinki Shipyard Inc. CEO Carl-Gustasf Rotkirch and Project Manager Jonas Packalén, together with Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito, participating via video link due to the unprecedented circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The elegant new ship represents the next generation of polar expedition vessels, designed for worldwide cruising with a strong focus on high-latitude areas. SH Minerva will feature a 4,6-megawatt diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system with selective catalytic reduction, 3-megawatt max. battery package and PC5 ice-strengthened hull. At 113 m, the 10,500-ton vessel has been specially designed to explore the most inspiring and inaccessible places on the planet.

Providing spacious 5-star accommodation for 152 guests in 76 spacious cabins and suites, the vast majority with large balconies, SH Minerva will be operated by an onboard team of 120 to provide the highest levels of personal service.

Commenting on the special challenges of these innovative ships, Project Manager Jonas Packalén explained: “New build 516 and her sister NB 517 are designed for extreme weather conditions, from polar areas with quite heavy ice conditions to tropical regions. And they are naturally designed to respect the sensitive ecosystems of the regions where they’re going to sail.”

Carl-Gustaf Rotkirch, CEO of Helsinki Shipyard Inc. remarked: “We are very happy to have been able to invite our workers back, engaging them in this exciting project. Now we can do what we know best - designing and building ships with a great history behind them and an even greater future ahead. These vessels for the iconic Swan Hellenic are inspiring us, and I hope the customer feels that.”

Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito congratulated the assembled team for successfully achieving an ambitious schedule, thanking the Helsinki Shipyard, Robert McFarland, Tillberg Design and VShips teams for their support.

“We’re excited and honoured to take Swan Hellenic into this next chapter and look forward to meeting you on board when we head to Antarctica in November 2021” he concluded. “Join us to see what others don’t!”

About Swan Hellenic [https://swanhellenic.com]

Swan Hellenic was relaunched in July 2020 to proudly continue the spirit of cultural expedition cruising the company had pioneered in the 1950s. Building on its British roots, the new company has a global cultural cruising outlook dedicated to providing guests with the opportunity to ‘see what others don’t’.

Two new 5-star polar PC5 ice-class expedition cruise ships arriving in November 2021 and April 2022 will each accommodate 152 guests in 76 spacious cabins and suites, the majority with large balconies.

Dedicated to guests with a passion for adventure and cultural exploration, the company’s meticulously planned itineraries explore the wild landscapes, wildlife, peoples and unique cultures of the world’s less travelled regions.

Its ships feature elegant Scandi-design interiors, extensive outdoor spaces and dedicated expedition facilities. The crew includes an expedition team comprising expert guides, speakers and lecturers, and numbering 120 almost equals the number of guests, reflecting the high levels of attentive but unfussy service provided.

About Helsinki Shipyard Inc.

Helsinki Shipyard Inc. celebrated its 1st anniversary in May 2020, but shipyard operations date back 155 years to when Helsingfors Skeppsdocka was authorized to open a shipyard in Hietalahti on the 4th of March 1865. The shipyard is renowned as a pioneer in Finnish shipbuilding, a substantial employer and part of the history and landscape of the City of Helsinki.

Atlas Ocean Voyages First and Only Cruise Brand to Include Emergency Medical Evacuation and Return-to-home Insurance

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA., Sept. 23, 2020 – A first for the cruise industry, Atlas Ocean Voyages today announced that the luxury-expedition cruise brand will include emergency evacuation and return-to-home insurance for all guests, in keeping with its All Inclusive All the Way experience. Seasoned, fun-seeking and like-spirited travelers can travel with greater peace of mind on future luxury adventures aboard World Navigator, Atlas’ new, safe and small expedition ship, launching in July 2021. The insurance covers emergency medical transportation from the ship to a local treatment center, as well as return transportation to home or a medical facility close to home, as required.

“Because safety and the health of our guests is our top priority, we are proud to be the first cruise brand to include emergency medical evacuation and return-to-home insurance as part of every booking,” said Alberto Aliberti, President of Atlas Ocean Voyages. “With this first-ever included insurance coverage, our guests can enjoy peace of mind when sailing our captivating destinations and know that we take care of every detail, as part of our All Inclusive All the Way experience.”

Atlas Ocean Voyages is an all-inclusive, luxury cruise brand defined by simple and refined elegance and will deliver authentic, once-in-a-lifetime adventures in the world’s most extraordinary and remote destinations aboard World Navigator, a newly constructed, safe, clean and green, small expedition ship. World Navigator will embark on her inaugural 2021 year, sailing seven- to 24-night itineraries in the Holy Land, Black and Mediterranean Seas in the summer, followed by nine- to 13-night itineraries in the Caribbean, South America and Antarctica in winter 2021/22.

Experienced, fun-seeking and like-spirited discerning travelers will find community aboard Atlas Ocean Voyages’ all-inclusive luxury expedition ships and revel in its welcoming and lively venues to share their day’s exploits. All Atlas Ocean Voyages journeys include emergency medical evacuation insurance; complimentary round-trip air travel from major U.S. and Canada gateways; prepaid gratuities; alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; Wi-Fi; L’Occitane bath amenities; free shore excursions in select ports; international gourmet dining; and onboard binoculars, coffee and tea service, and butler service in suites.

Safety is at the core of Atlas Ocean Voyages’ Polar Category-C and Ice Class-1B, expedition ships, and all of the most-modern hygiene and cleanliness measures are being incorporated into their design. World Navigator’s construction in Portugal is on schedule and the line’s first ship will launch in mid-2021, with sister-ships World Traveller, World Seeker, World Adventurer and World Discoverer to follow before the end 2023.

Atlas Ocean Voyages is also committed to preserving the breathtaking locales and waters that its ships visit for future generations to enjoy, and is among the first to employ the latest conservation and sustainability technologies, including a hybrid power management and propulsion system that maximizes fuel efficiency and consumes as low as one-fifth the fuel compared to conventional cruise ship systems. Additionally, World Navigator and her sister ships utilize underwater, forward-looking sonar to confidently navigate coastal, harbor and icy polar waters, and feature an alternate hydrojet propulsion system, which helps the ship quietly cruise up to five knots without disturbing marine wildlife for incomparable up-close encounters.

For more information, please visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com and follow Atlas Ocean Voyage on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AtlasOceanVoyages), Twitter (www.twitter.com/atlascruises), and Instagram (www.instagram.com/AtlasOceanVoyages). Travel Advisors can call 1-844-44-ATLAS (1-844-442-8527) to book their clients on an unforgettable luxe-adventure journey.

Oceania Cruises’ Labor Day Upgrade Sale Results in Record-setting Bookings

Miami, FL, September 21, 2020 – Oceania Cruises, the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line announced that its Labor Day upgrade sale proved to be the most successful holiday promotion in the company’s history.

The company attributed the success of the sale, with almost half of the new reservations coming from new-to-brand guests, to a combination of an exceptional value proposition and strong demand for a cruise product that features immersive destination-rich itineraries, culinary experiences that rival the finest ashore, and the highest levels of personalized service. Oceania Club members, the line’s repeat guests, comprised slightly more than half of the new reservations with less than five percent of reservations in total utilizing future cruise credits from cancelled voyages.

The volume of new reservations validated the company’s recent commitment to an enriched and improved eco-system of sales tools and online reservations capabilities for travel partners and the additional investment in digital outreach to consumers and travel advisors.

“The success of our recent Labor Day upgrade sale underscores the pent-up demand from our loyal repeat guests and incredible appetite from new first-time guests alike,” stated Bob Binder, President and CEO of Oceania Cruises. “We are especially encouraged by increased interest in small-ship luxury travel experiences from aspirational travelers and the continued support of our travel advisor partners.”

With the strong demand for voyages in 2021 and the first half of 2022, the line will be launching its summer 2022 season of itineraries to Europe, Alaska, Bermuda, and Canada-New England in November, its 2023 Around the World voyage in January, and the balance of winter 2022-23 itineraries in February.  

For additional information on Oceania Cruises’ small-ship luxury product, exquisitely crafted cuisine, and expertly curated travel experiences, visit OceaniaCruises.com, call 855-OCEANIA, or speak with a professional travel advisor.

About Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises is the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line. The line’s six small, luxurious ships carry only 684 or 1,250 guests featuring the finest cuisine at sea and destination-rich itineraries that span the globe. Expertly curated travel experiences aboard the designer-inspired, small ships call on more than 450 marquee and boutique ports across Europe, Alaska, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, New England-Canada, Bermuda, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, Tahiti and the South Pacific in addition to the epic 180-day Around the World Voyages. The brand has two 1,200-guest Allura-class ships on order.